Senate approves state police bill, sends it for further review

A bill to create state police passed its second reading in the Senate on Wednesday.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the bill's passage during Wednesday’s session after most senators supported it with a voice vote.

After passing, the bill was sent to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. The committee will review the bill and hold public hearings to get people's views on the proposed state police system.

The bill is sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. It aims to give policing powers to state governments to improve Nigeria’s internal security.

The proposed law also plans to update the country’s policing system by creating State Police Service Commissions. These commissions will manage recruitment, training, and oversight of police officers.

Additionally, it suggests moving policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. This change would allow both federal and state governments to have policing powers.

Mr Bamidele, while discussing the bill, said that state police is not meant to weaken the Nigeria Police Force. Instead, it aims to boost security at all levels of government.

He addressed worries that governors might misuse state police. Mr Bamidele explained that the bill would set up State Police Commissions responsible for hiring, training, and coordinating state police work. This would help prevent political interference.

He added that state police would enhance intelligence gathering and improve the country’s security setup.

"It will improve intelligence gathering. Local police officers know their communities well and can get important information because they understand local languages, customs, and social structures," he said.

"Modern policing depends more on intelligence than force. State Police will greatly strengthen Nigeria’s intelligence framework," the Senate leader said, making a strong case for state police.

Mr Bamidele also mentioned that state police would ease the burden on the federal police, which currently handles security for the whole country.

"The Federal Police deals with nationwide policing. With State Police, the Federal Police can focus on interstate crimes, terrorism, organized crime, border security, cybercrime, and protecting federal assets," he said.

He noted that this proposal would improve Nigeria’s federal system by sharing powers and responsibilities better among different government levels.

"It will strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure. Nigeria has a federal system. In a true federation, powers and responsibilities should be shared among all levels of government. Many developed federations have local police alongside federal law enforcement," he stated.

Over the years, state governments and civil society groups have called for local policing. This push has grown as armed robbery, communal clashes, and other security issues have increased.

During former President Goodluck Jonathan’s time, a National Conference recommended creating state police to help reduce insecurity.

The rise in banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes has increased pressure from governors and political leaders to set up state police.

In the absence of a formal state police system, some regions have set up informal security groups like Amotekun in the South-west, Ebube Agu in the South-east, and Hisbah in the North-west.

Despite ongoing security issues, the idea of state police remains controversial among politicians. Some believe that without proper rules, state police could be misused by governors to target political rivals, suppress dissent, and limit press freedom. Others argue that state policing is the best way to tackle insecurity.

Recently, the Senate President said the proposed state police system would create a National State Police Commission. This commission would oversee state police operations, including recruitment, training, promotion, discipline, and conduct of officers.

During the discussion, many senators supported the idea, saying state police could help solve the country’s security problems.

Chief Whip Tahir Monguno said state police would strengthen local security and improve efforts to fight insecurity across the nation.

He pointed out that involving local communities in security work would make it more effective, increase public trust, and improve intelligence gathering.

But Adamu Aliero from Kebbi Central warned that any reforms must follow the constitution.

Mr Aliero noted that Nigeria's security problems might not just be about structure. He mentioned that with less than 400,000 police officers for over 200 million people, the country might need more officers along with institutional changes.

Earlier on the same day, the House of Representatives passed a bill to create state police too.

If there are any differences between the two bills when both chambers review them again, each chamber will set up a committee to work out those differences before sending it to the president for approval.